Staple twister



Sept. 20, 1966 D. A. FERRARA, JR 3,273,605

S TAPLE TWI STER Filed July 8, 1963 AT TOR NEYS.

United States Patent O 3,273,605 STAPLE TWISTER Daniel A. Ferrara, lr., New Rochelle, N.Y., assignor to Ferrara Industries, New York, N.Y., a partnership of New York Filed .luly 8, 1963, Ser. No. 293,505 7 Claims. (Cl. 140-93.6)

This invention relates to wire twisting apparatus and, more particularly, to a novel po-wered device for twisting spaced substantially parallel wires, such `as the legs of U-shape wire staples and automatically releasing such wir-es or staple legs .after a predetermined amount of twist has heen imparted thereto.

In the erection of wire fences, the wire fencing is anchored to fence posts by means of U-shaped wire staples which are positioned so as to embrace a strand of wire and the fence post and then have their ends twisted to anchor the fencing to the fence post. Such procedures are also used in joining reinforcing rods in building construction. In either case, this is a relatively time-consuming operation which contributes substantially to the cost of the operation. While diiferent proposals have been made for twisting together a pair of wires, there has been no suggestion of power-driven automatic or semi-automatic device for this purpose. Consequently, resort has had to he had to the use of various manual tools, such as pliers and the like, yfor the twisting of such wire staples.

In .accordance with the present invention, a novel staple or wire twister is provided in which all that is necessary is to secure `a driving shaft thereof in the chuck of a power device, such as an electric drill or the like, place the wires of staple llegs in position, insert the wires or staple legs into the twister, and then apply power to the twister. Responsive to insertion or the legs of wires into the twister, the `latter are automatically locked to the twister. After a predetermined length of twist has been imparted to ythe wires or staple legs, the twisted together portion thereof operates a release means which disengages the locking means from the wires or staple legs so that the latter automatically withdraw from the twister.

The arrangemnt is simple and effective in construction, and easy of operation. It may further be used with any type of power -drive either a ilexible cable or a power drill, or `the like, provided with a tool-holding chuck at a power output end. With the use of the twister of the invention, the time required to twist wires or staples is very substantially reduced, thus resulting in a substantial decrease in cost. The device is readily portable and may .be used any place in the lield where Ia supply of power is availafble.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Iln the drawings:

F-IG. l is a side elevational view of the invention staple twister as applied to a staple which is partially twisted;

F'IG. 2 is an end elevational view of the staple twister illustrating the staple as twisted even further;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the staple twister taken on lthe line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is `an axial or central vertical sectional view throu-gh the staple twister illustrating the same as initially applied to a staple;

3,273,605 Patented Sept. 20, 1966 FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating the position of the parts at the completion lof a predetermined twisting of the staple; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 .are transverse -sectional views through the staple twister, taken on the lines 6-6 and 7--7, respectively, of FIG. 4.

In the drawing, and for the s-ake of simplicity in illustrating and explaining lthe operation of the invention, a twister `20 is illustrated as arranged to twist together the legs of a U-shaped wire staple which initially partially emlbr'aces a post 15. Twister 20 is arranged to twist the legs `1'1 of staple r10` to impart a twis-t 12 thereto, twist 1,2 having la predetermined length which can be preselected by proper positioning of legs 11 and the extent 0f projection thereof into or through twister 20.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 6 and 7, staple twister 20 is generally oval shaped in transverse section with somewhat attened ends. 1t includes a relatively elongated inner body part 21 and a somewhat shorter outer yor driving body part 22. Body parts 21 and 22 mate with each other and are formed with aligned apertures 23 and `24, respectively, to receive legs '.11 of staple 10. Body parts 21 and `22 may be secured to each other, to form a unit, after assembly therein of the operating parts of the twister.

Body part 21 includes a quasi-pyramidal portion having sloping and relatively plane end walls `216 joined by curved -side walls 27. Adjacent `apertures 23, end walls 26 are formed with relatively elongated recesses 28 for easy insertion of legs 111 into `apertures 23.

Body part `2'1 is formed with an .axially or centrally extending bore 2-5 opening through its outer end, and bore 25 slidably receives the shank 31 of an operator 30. Operator '30 projects beyond the outer end of body part 21 Where it has secured thereto, or formed integrally therewith, a substantially rectangular transversely extending head 35. The cross bar or head 24 is preferably rectangular in cross section, and stem 31 is also preferably rectangular in cross section with bore 25 conforming to the cross section of stem 31.

The inner end of operator 30 extends into a rectangular cross section and laterally elongated recess -16 in Ibody part 21, Vandrecess -16 forms a relatively shorter later-al extension of a longer laterally extending recess 17, likewise of rectangular cross section. Recess 17 intersects bores 23 at each end. The lower end of stem 31 is united with a laterally relatively elongated head 32 of rectangular cross section having a width substantially equal to the width of recesses 16 yand 17. Head 32 limits the outward movement of operator 30 .and thus the extent of projection of head 35 thereof.

Body part 22 has its inner end formed with a laterally extending relatively elongated recess of rectangular cross section, as indicated at 36. Recess 36 is somewhat less in length than recess 17 `and terminates at each end short of hores 24. A relatively small diameter bore -37 of circular cross section extends from the base of recess 36 in yalignment with operator 30. Bore 37 seats a coil spring 39 engaging the lower or inner end of a circular cross section stem 33 extending centrally downwardly from head 32 of operator `30 and having its lower end `at least partially engaged in bore 67 at all times. Spring 39 serves to bias operator 35 to its outer limit of movement.

At each end thereof, head 32 is formed with a substantially rectangular cross section recess 34 which opens o downwardly and outwardly. Each recess 34 receives the upper end of a rectangular cross section arm 41 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 42 extending transversely of the associated recess 34. The lower end of each arm 41 rotatably supports a double roller 40, each arm 41 being disposed between the two halves of the associated roller 40. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, rollers 40 are at all times in rolling engagement with the inner surface 3S of recess 36 in body part 22.

Rollers 40 serve as cam rollers controlling the position of latch bars generally indicated at 45. Each latch 45 is a relatively elongated bar of substantially rectangular cross section having a close sliding lit in recess 17. The inner end of each latch bar is forked for passage of the adjacent arm 41 therethrough. Latch arms 45 are formed with trunions or pivots 46 engaged in suitable recesses in body part 21 so that the latch bars 45 are pivotally mounted in recess 17. The relative position of trunions 46 is such that, when the latch bars are in a locking position, the lower edges are substantially flush with the inner end of body part 21. The outer end of each latch bar 45 is formed with a substantially rectangular recess 47 and each recess 47 slidably mounts a latch 50 which is T- shape in plan and has a stem 51 extending into a bore 48 in the associated bar 45 and engaged by a coil spring S1 which biases the associated latch 50 outwardly. The outer edge surfaces of latches 50 are bevelled, as at 52, with the bevelled surface facing outwardly of body part 21.

To drive staple twister 20, body part 22 has a bit or stem 55 projecting from its outer surface and arranged for suitable engagement in the chuck 56 of a power tool or the like 57, shown in broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. While stem 55 is illustrated as positioned in chuck 56 of power tool 57, it should be understood that stem 55 may be engaged in the driving means of any suitable power device, for example a chuck at the end of a flexible cable or the like.

The arrangement operates in the following manner in twisting the legs of a wire staple. Staple is placed in operative relation to the parts which are to be secured together, and with its legs 11 extending substantially parallel to each other. Legs 11 are then inserted into recesses 23 and are pushed at least partially through twister 20. Such insertion is permitted by the latches 50 which will be pushed inwardly against the bias of spring 51, when legs 11 engage bevelled surfaces 52. The legs may then enter bores 24. The extent of engagement of legs 11 in and through twister 20 is determined by the amount of twist to be imparted to the staple. It should further be noted that latches 50 prevent retrograde movement of legs 11, in the position of the latches and legs illustrated in FIG. 4.

In advance of the twisting operation, rollers 40 are normally positioned beneath latch bars 45 and inwardly of trunions 46, with head 35 of operator 30 fully projected. In this position, rollers 40 maintain latch arms 45 substantially parallel to the plane of junction of body parts 21 and 22.

Bit or stem 55 is now engaged in the chuck of a suitable power tool, flexible cable, or the like, and twister is rotated. This will twist legs 11 about each other to form the twisted portion 12 interconnecting the legs. As twisted portion 12 increases in length, legs 11 will bear against head 35 of operator 30, and operator 3G will :gradually be moved inwardly against force of spring 39. After a predetermined amount of such inward movement, rollers 40 move outwardly beyond trunions 46 an thus no longer rigidly maintain latch bars 45 in the position illustrated in FIG. 4. When this occurs, legs 11 of staple 10 withdraw'from twister 20, such withdrawal being provided for by upward swinging of latch bars 45 to the position shown in FIG. 5, for example. The twisting operation is now complete. As legs 11 are released and with- 4 draw from twister 20, the parts re-assume the position shown in FIG. 4.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles thereof, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for twisting together a pair of wires, such as the legs of a staple comprising, in combination, a body arranged for driving connection to a power tool for rotation by the latter; said body being formed with a pair of relatively elongated rectilinear bores substantially parallel to its axis of rotation and disposed on either side thereof for receiving the legs of a stable for twisting of the legs for rotation of said body; latch means in said body in association with said bores and operable automatically, responsive to insertion of staple legs into said bores, to latch the staple legs against withdrawal; cam means in said body normally maintaining said means in the automatic latching position; and an operator projecting axially from said body for engagement with the twisted portion of the staple legs and operatively associated with said cam means, said operator, responsive to a pre-selected twisting of the staple legs, operating said cam means to release said latch means for movement to a position releasing the staple legs for withdrawal; said body being formed with a recess extending diametrically of its axis of rotation and intersecting each of said bores; said latch means comprising a pair of relatively elongated latch bars disposed in said recess and pivoted intermediate their ends to said body, the latching ends of said bars intersecting said bores; said cam means being disposed in said recess normally in engagement with said bars and preventing rotation of the latter in a staple leg releasing direction.

2. Apparatus for twisting together a pair of wires, such as the legs of a staple, as claimed in claim 1, in which each of said latch bars is provided with a spring biased latch in its end intersecting a bore, each spring biased latch having a sloping end surface which faces toward the leg entry end of the associated bore.

3. Apparatus for twisting together a pair of wires, such as the legs of a staple, as claimed in claim 1, said operator comprising a relatively elongated element slidably mounted in a bore extending along the axis of rotation of said body; means biasing :said operator to project from said body; and link means in said recess connecting said operator to said cams.

4. Apparatus for twisting together a pair of wires, such as the legs of a staple, as claimed in claim 3, in which each cam is a roller engageable with the associated latch bar; each roller being pivoted in the free end of a link, forming part of said link means, and the opposite end of each link being pivotally connected to said operator; said links diverging in the direction of inward movement of said operator.

5. Apparatus for twisting together a pair of wires, such as the legs of a staple, as claimed in claim 4, in which said rollers, when said operator is fully projected from said body, are engaged with those portions of the respective latch bars disposed inwardly of the axis of oscillation of the latch bars.

6. Apparatus for twisting together a pair of wires, such as the legs of a staple comprising, in combination, a body arranged for driving connection to a power tool for rotation by the latter; said body being formed with a pair of relatively elongated rectilinear bores substantially parallel to its axis of rotation and disposed on either side thereof for receiving the legs of a staple for twisting of the legs for rotation of said body; latch means in said body in association with said bores and operable automatically, responsive to insertion of staple legs into said bores, to latch the staple legs against withdrawal; cam means in said body normally maintaining said latch means in the automatic latching position; and an operator projecting axially from said body for engagement with the twisted portion of the staple legs and operatively associated with said Acam means, said operator, responsive to a preselected twisting of the staple legs, operating said cam means to release said latch means for movement to a position releasing the staple legs for Withdrawal; each of said bores extending completely through said body, whereby the legs of a staple may be engaged to a preselected extent through said body to pre-select the degree of twist imparted to the staple legs.

7. Apparatus for twisting together a pair of wires, such as the legs of a staple, as `claimed in claim 5, in which said operator has a head extending transversely of its 5 portions of said legs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,181,629 5/1916 Barron 140-93 3,026,915 3/1962 Jones et al 140-119 3,169,559 5/1965 Working 140*119 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR TWISTING TOGETHER A PAIR OF WIRES, SUCH AS THE LEGS OF A STAPLE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A BODY ARRANGED FOR DRIVING CONNECTION TO A POWER TOOL FOR ROTATION BY THE LATTER; SAID BODY BEING FORMED WITH A PAIR OF RELATIVELY ELONGATED RECTILINEAR BORES SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO ITS AXIS OF ROTATION AND DISPOSED ON EITHER SIDE THEREOF FOR RECEIVING THE LEGS OF A STABLE FOR TWISTING OF THE LEGS FOR ROTATION OF SAID BODY; LATCH MEANS IN SAID BODY IN ASSOCIATION WITH SAID BORES AND OPERABLE AUTOMATICALLY, RESPONSIVE TO INSERTION OF STAPLE LEGS INTO SAID BORES, TO LATCH THE STAPLE LES AGAINST WITHDRAWAL; CAM MEANS IN SAID BODY NORMALLY MAINTAINING SAID MEANS IN THE AUTOMATIC LATCHING POSITION; AND AN OPERATOR PROJECTING AXIALLY FROM SAID BODY FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TWISTED PORTION OF THE STAPLE LEGS AND OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CAM MEANS, SAID OPERATOR, RESPONSIVE TO A PRE-SELECTED TWISTING OF THE STAPLE LEGS, OPERATING SAID CAM MEANS TO RELEASE SAID LATCH MEANS FOR MOVEMENT TO A POSITION RELEASING THE STAPLE LEGS FOR WITHDRAWAL; SAID BODY BEING FORMED WITH A RECESS EXTENDING DIAMETRICALLY OF ITS AXIS OF ROTATION AND INTERSECTING EACH OF SAID BORES; SAID LATCH MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF RELATIVELY ELONGATED LATCH BARS DISPOSED IN SAID RECESS AND PIVOTED INTERMEDIATE THEIR ENDS TO SAID BODY, THE LATCHING ENDS OF SAID BARS INTERSECTING SAID BORES; SAID CAM MEANS BEING DISPOSED IN SAID RECESSES NORMALLY IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BARS AND PREVENTING ROTATION OF THE LATTER IN A STAPLE LEG RELEASING DIRECTION. 